Greece will stay in the eurozone whatever the outcome of its referendum on the debt rescue package, Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Thursday.
"Greece's position within the euro area is a historic achievement by the country that cannot be put in doubt. This achievement by the Greek people cannot depend on a referendum," Venizelos said a in an interview with a local TV channel following his arrival in Cannes for the G20 summit later on Thursday.
Venizelos said that the EU bailout, which includes a significant debt write-off, cannot be revised.
"The political balance in the country or the future of certain individuals or parties is not the issue. Saving and restoring the country with the help of the only chance set out in the October 26 agreement is the issue," he said, referring to the hard-won bailout deal.
Greece’s Prime Minister, George Papandreou, said on Tuesday he would initiate a referendum on whether the people want a 130-billion-euro bailout package which involves new budget austerity measures.
The austerity plan, aimed at avoiding a national default which would hammer Europe's banks and threaten the Italian and Spanish economies, was met with widespread popular discontent in Greece.
Papandreou, who analysts say wants the referendum give him a renewed mandate in the face of a wafer-thin majority in parliament, said on Wednesday the poll will decide whether Greece will stay in the eurozone or not.
"I do believe there is a wide consensus among the Greek people... and the Greek people will speak soon," he said.
